The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 468

Just as Maeve was starting to feel cornered, a knock on the door broke the tension. Archer walked in, looking calm as always. "Ms. Reese, is everything okay?"

Maeve practically sighed in relief. "Archer, perfect timing. Could you please explain to her that Mr. Mcdaniel asked me to come here to grab some documents?" Archer immediately understood the situation. "Of course. That's correct."

He turned to the secretary, his expression firm but not unkind. "You know no one's supposed to be in Mr. Mcdaniel's office without approval. Why are you here instead of handling your duties outside?"

It wasn't Archer being harsh to impress Maeve, rules were rules, especially for the secretarial team. New hires were always briefed on these things, yet somehow this one had managed to miss the memo. He hadn't expected this new hire to be so clueless.

The secretary flushed, clearly embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Bax. I do know the rule, but I panicked when I saw someone I didn't recognize in the office. I thought it might be something serious. I won't do it again." Maeve jumped in before it got awkward. "It's fine, really. She was just doing her job and being careful. Honestly, it's a good thing to be alert."

She couldn't help but think back to the incident at the airport when she'd been scolded for mixing up cars. 'Yep, can't really throw stones here!

Archer gave a small nod of agreement. "As you wish, Ms. Reese." He turned back to the secretary. "You can return to your desk now."

The girl mumbled a quick apology, glanced briefly at Maeve, and hurried out.

Maeve froze for a second, staring after her. Something about the girl seemed oddly familiar. Her tied-up ponytail, that small mole under her eye-it all clicked.

she was the girl from Byron's sketch.

of course. People change as they grow older. But the resemblance was uncanny, right down

Reese," Archer interrupted her thoughts, his tone polite, "have you found the documents Mr.

the file. "Got it. I should head back to the

me walk you off," Archer said,

but Maeve paused before they got there. "Archer, one quick thing. Do you know which university

graduated from Kleymond University. She replaced the last personal secretary after they left last week. Her resume was a perfect fit, so she got

mind racing. It

love? What if seeing her again changes

knew Byron had mentioned, ages ago, that he had feelings for that

always stays special. Time just adds this kind of nostalgic filter to it, and

feeling a little drained.

hope in this relationship, it

to the hospital, she was still in a daze. Jason and Ryan had already gone to rest,

quiet as he was bickering with Byron. "I'm still growing! Mommy says I need to eat a lot to get taller. Taking my chicken drumstick is taking away my height. If I end up shorter, it's your

at that stomach. You sure you still need more to eat? No wonder your mommy's hugging Will instead of you." Will quickly pushed his drumstick toward Theo with a grin. "You can have

snorted. "Some people are rich but can't even share a chicken drumstick with their kid. Unlike Will,

the other took a jab.

he was thinking about calling him out. But Will, quick as ever, grabbed another drumstick and handed it to Byron. "Daddy, this one's for you. Don't steal Theo's-he loves the crispy ones." Byron just stared

the luckiest younger

thought he was outsmarting Will, but Will was way ahead of